Performance
Score Breakdown
Cheyenne
Laramie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laramie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
32% higher compared to Cheyenne.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cheyenne's average rent is
19% higher than Laramie's.
| Metric | Cheyenne | Laramie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,367 | $1,149 | +19% |
| Groceries | $705 | $377 | +87% |
| Utilities | $352 | $352 | 0% |
| Transport | $250 | $120 | +108% |
| Healthcare | $141 | $138 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,815 | $2,136 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 100 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Laramie offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Laramie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cheyenne is estimated at
$75,000 vs $31,776 in Laramie.
| Metric | Cheyenne | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,402 | $65,136 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $31,776 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,402 idx | 68,564 idx |
| Household Income | $78,839 | $55,613 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Cheyenne | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 46.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Laramie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Cheyenne.
| Metric | Cheyenne | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cheyenne is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Laramie.
From a growth perspective, Laramie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Laramie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cheyenne | Laramie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,580 | 32,511 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.11% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.9 | 26.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 2.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cheyenne
Advantages
Cheyenne's unemployment rate of 3.7% (Q4 2024) is lower than the national average, indicating a healthy job market.
The average commute time in Cheyenne is only 16 minutes, significantly shorter than many other U.S. cities.
Overall crime rates in Cheyenne decreased by 8% in 2025 compared to 2024, and continued to decline by 12.4% in 2026.
The cost of living in Cheyenne is comparable to the national average, with utilities being 5.2% lower.
Cheyenne offers a strong sense of community and rich Western heritage, highlighted by events like Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Drawbacks
Cheyenne's crime rate is higher than 99% of other communities within Wyoming and higher than average for cities of similar population size.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to a high reliance on personal vehicles.
Groceries in Cheyenne are approximately 1.7% pricier than the national average.
While overall healthcare costs are lower, a doctor's visit without insurance can be 16.2% higher than the national average.
The city experiences cold and long winters with significant snowfall.
Laramie
Advantages
The cost of living in Laramie is lower than the national average, particularly for housing and groceries.
Laramie has a violent crime rate significantly below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The city offers a strong sense of community and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
There are abundant outdoor activities available, including hiking, biking, skiing, and fishing, due to its proximity to mountains and forests.
Commute times are significantly shorter than the national average, at only 13 minutes.
Drawbacks
Childcare and dining out costs can be more expensive in Laramie compared to the national average.
Some residents may need to travel to larger cities for specialized medical care or extensive shopping options.
Despite growth, Laramie can still feel somewhat isolated, with a "middle of nowhere" feel for some.
The median household income in Laramie is lower than the national average.
The housing market, while affordable, has seen a slight decrease in median home prices in early 2026.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Cheyenne
#69Wyoming, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,367
Avg Salary
$54,402
Cost Index
100
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.11%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
72
Business
65
Laramie
#23Wyoming, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,149
Avg Salary
$65,136
Cost Index
95
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
2.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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